Azuma Press Launch

This morning the official press launch took place for the new Azuma trains due to begin running between London, York and Scotland from Thursday 1st August.

A special train for media people ran from York to Darlington and back this morning. The world's fastest steam locomotive 'Mallard' was brought out of the railway museum to stand alongside the new train before it's departure to Darlington.

Thank you all for your comments and favs, which put this shot on the Popular Page.

The Azuma is an impressive looking train, but on the routes between London, York and Scotland it is limited to a maximum speed of 125 mph because of the limitations of the signalling system on the route. It's designed maximum speed is 140 mph. One thing that does impress when it is working in electric mode is its rapid rate of accelleration away from the platform.

I am looking forward to a journey by Azuma, hopefully reasonably soon.